The Management of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) held a Special Management Meeting and valedictory session on 5th December 2019, in honour of the Director of Legal Services, Abdul Ter Kohol, Esq. who retires from the service, having attained the retirement age of 60.
The valedictory Management Meeting doubled as an avenue to celebrate the birthday and honourable retirement of Mr. Kohol.
Director-General of NCC, Mr. John O. Asein, on behalf of Management and staff of the Commission, commended the outgoing Director for his meritorious service, the high points of which included his roles as an Acting Director-General of NCC and pioneer Director of Prosecution.
The Director-General remarked that Mr. Kihol’s exit was only a process of transition from one phase of life to another, adding that it was a time of reflection on the essence of our existence in life. Mr. Asein stated that the Commission would continue to see Mr. Kohol as a copyright ambassador, adding that the memories of his sojourn in NCC would be cherished and kept alive.
Congratulating the outgoing Director on his birthday and retirement, the Director-General assured that his entitlements would be paid promptly.
“It is a time to love, forgive and reconcile with the system, colleagues and subordinates,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Director, Finance and Accounts, stated, “Mr Kohol is a very amiable and intelligent person with a very good social life. He has a sense of openness to confront any situation which is his strong strength of character. I wish him all the best of life.”
Director of Administration, Dr. Idowu Ogunkuade, prayed that as Mr. Kohol retires honourably from the Commission with joy, God would fill his retirement with blessings and peace.
Director, Regulatory, Mr. Bitrus Dauda said, “As you join the league of senior citizens after the successful completion of your service in the Commission, we look unto you for more advice in future”.
Director of Enforcement, Mr. Augustine Amodu thanked Mr. Kohol for his service to the Commission, adding, “we look forward to your advisory role on copyright. Thank God for your life and I wish you well.”
Director of Prosecution, Mr. Obi Ezeilo, noted that he and others who had worked under Mr. Kohol have benefited from his experience and solutions he often proffered to challenging legal issues. “He is proactive in actualising his targets with the right connections,” he stressed.
He added: “Congratulations on all the inputs you have made in the system. We wish you a lot of success as we look forward to your continued interaction with the Commission.”
Deputy Director and Head of Nigerian Copyright Institute (NCI), Mrs. Funmi Adewale, appreciated Mr Kohol for being an encouragement to staff in the service of the Commission.
Responding, Mr. Kohol expressed gratitude to the Director-General, “for organising a forum of this nature, being the first of its kind for a retiring Director in the Commission. I am very impressed with the honour bestowed on me by hosting this valedictory session in my favour. It is worthy of emulation and discussion among other retirees of the Commission.”
According to him, “Forgiveness is very important to every Christian because without forgiveness, progress cannot be made.”
He added: “I admire and appreciate the DG on the initiative to start keeping memories about the Commission. I am happy and I know it will be on record to every lawyer in the Commission that I started the Prosecution Department in the Commission and also filed the first criminal case.”
“I am happy to be known as the Kohol of copyright,” he declared.
The Commission is set to hold a send-off party in honour of Mr. Kohol and his family at the NCC Headquarters, Federal Secretariat Phase I, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja on 6th December 2019.
Vincent A. Oyefeso
Director, Public affairs
For: Director-General
